ISABELLA “Alright, ladies. Into the jeep, we don’t have all day. Lunas in the front,” my mother yelled as I dragged my feet across the pavement to her stupid red Jeep Wrangler. “Why do I have to go? Can’t I just stay with Fanny and help with the food,” I begged my mother as she dragged me to her jeep. The lack of breakfast wasn’t improving my mood. I only managed a handful of bacon before leaving the dining room. I barely had the energy to walk, and my mother was dragging me to a stupid mall. “What are you saying, Isabella?” My mother asked. “You love going to the mall and shopping. I see you all the time checking out girls trying on outfits. This is the same thing.” I could hear Alaia giggling, giving me a knowing look. Why was she laughing? What does she know? “I’d rather hang with the boys,” I pouted, refusing to get in. I heard a growl beside me as we both looked at Ashlee sitting in the backseat with Mia. “There’s no way I’m leaving you here with my Hunty. Don’t
ISABELLA The houses passed me like rolling film until I realized I was at the mall. I made my way inside and followed the stupid sounds of girlish laughter. I hated that someone was happy. I didn’t want anyone to be happy, but I had to face it. I didn’t want to hear my mother’s mouth about my mood dampening their day. Before entering the shop, I had to fix my face. Pretend everything was fine. I didn’t want to get a third degree. I didn’t want anyone to ask me anything. I would be fine if I could get through this with a nod. I walked in, and Alaia was showcasing a white dress. It was a delicate patterned lace layered on lovely creamy-colored silk. The bodice was adorned with pearls, and the bottom flared out triangularly. Alaia turned in the mirror, and I saw the cut-out displaying her nice, blemish-free back. I was impressed by how beautiful she looked, like an angel, and the dress was perfect. “And then we’ll have your hair up in this fashion and accessories with some long
ZIRA After leaving the little rendezvous with Zack, I continued my search for my necklace. I checked everywhere within fifteen miles of the packhouse. I was sure I left it somewhere close by. I spent hours searching until I gave up. What was I going to tell Isabella? “She’s going to hate me!” I yelled to no one in particular. “I’m not a good friend.” “Stop with that. You’re not improving my mood,” Nina sighed. “What’s going on with you, Nina? You’ve been acting strange since we caught Isaiah watching us in the woods.” “Why was he watching us? Probably thinks we’re going to claw off his mate’s pretty face,” Nina growled, baring her teeth as a mental picture of her clawing Alaia’s face flashed in my mind. “You know, Nina. You have an anger issue. Maybe some training can help with that,” I suggested when I noticed my nails lengthening from Nina’s anger. Nina huffed at me before disappearing into my mind. I guess training was out of the question today. That’s fine with me
ZIRA “There’s someone in my room, and I can’t pick up their scent,” I linked to my dad. He was by my side within a flash with my brother on his tail. My hand was still on the knob. I took a deep breath and prepared myself as I opened my door. My brother and dad burst in before me and pounced on the person trying to leave through the window. Suddenly, her scent was a bit more prominent. “Stop, guys,” I said, pushing my dad and brother off Isabella. “It’s just Isabella. See?” They moved back as I watched my mom’s frame fill the doorway with a knife in her hands. I guess last night really did a number of them, too. I helped Isabella off the floor and gasped at her appearance. My dad turned around, but my brother stared at her with his mouth open. Isabella stood tall with nothing but a white bra and matching panties. She didn’t attempt to cover herself, so I grabbed the nearest thing, my comforter, and covered her. “Sorry, I was trying to hide, but your closet is a mess,” Isabel
ZIRA My mom looked at me. “Let’s be delicate about how we approach this,” my mom said. “So, you...told her?” I hesitantly asked, ensuring I understood her correctly. Isabella shook her head. She told us what happened at the bridal shop and how Alaia mentioned her “connection” with Victoria. When her mom questioned her, Isabella panicked and ran. I waited a minute to digest everything, but my mind kept repeating the same thing. They were picking out dresses for Alaia, Isaiah’s mate, for the mating ceremony that was in two weeks. Two weeks! The mating ceremony was equivalent to a wedding. Mates are joined together in the eyes of the pack and the Moon Goddess. Isaiah just met this girl, and they’re already having a ceremony. I guess the mate bond is strong enough to turn people you thought cared and respected you into a total dick. I felt like I had just been slapped in the face. Again! “Zira!” My mom ran to my bathroom and came out with my medical kit. I looked down at my ha
ALAIA After Isabella left, Luna Bella wasn’t in the mood to keep shopping. I tried to comfort her, but we all returned to the packhouse. Fortunately, I thought the trip wasn’t a bust as I admired the dress we picked for the mating ceremony. Mating ceremony. I couldn’t believe I was here. Granted, it wasn’t the person I would have loved to be mated to, but Isaiah was definitely close. He was tall, handsome, and charismatic. He had the body of an Adonis, soft, curly black hair, and his eyes... His gray, stormy eyes were to die for. He was the complete opposite of my James. They were both tall and handsome, but James was ginger with green eyes and freckles. It was weird thinking of James while lying on my mate’s bed. Yet, after all this time, my love for him never faltered. My thoughts returned to when James and I hung out in my pack before Maria was his mate. No matter how crappy my day was, he always found a way to make me feel better. Whether with a joke or a snack he stole from
ALAIA The air was thick with tension, fueled by a deal gone wrong and, most likely, the copious amount of alcohol I scented on the breath of the guard holding me. Our eyes didn't leave each other, and for a split second, I tensed up before taking a controlled breath through my nostrils. "How dare you show your face here, witch," he growled in my face. I responded with a blank face and placed one of my hands on his chest. "You have three seconds to let me go before I rip your heart from your chest and nail it to the wall. One..." I dug my nails into his shirt as his hand tightened just a bit around my throat. "...two..." I was hoping my little threat was enough for him to release me. Honestly, I could do what I said, but that would use up too much of my power, and it would be a total waste. A slight glow radiated from my necklace, and I could feel the guard's resolve shaking, but it wasn't enough. "Let her go," I could hear Nas say behind the guard. The guard growled at me bef
THIRD PERSON VIEW Zelda, Zira, Isabella, and Luna Bella sat in the living room as an uncomfortable silence filled the air. Isabella and Luna Bella avoided eye contact while Zelda looked at her daughter, Zira, to do something. Zira looked at her mom and mouthed, “What?” “I don’t know, something,” Zelda mouthed back. Zira sat there trying to think of something to say, but nothing presented itself but one. Luna Bella was scary when she was pissed, and Zira knew the slightest mistake could set her off. So, what she said next was crucial. “So,” Zira started putting on her best smile, “a lot has happened in the past twenty-four hours, right? I survived a rogue attack. Isaiah found his mate. Isabella’s mate is a girl. This should be a celebration of all celebrations, am I right?” Zelda face-palmed herself while Luna Bella and Isabella looked at Zira like she was crazy. This is what happens when you leave it up to your daughter. Zelda thought. Yup, that’s my best friend. Ru